Sprinkler rotating spinner drive



Sept. 9, 1952 UNGER 2,610,089

SPRINKLER ROTATING SPINNER DRIVE Filed March 22, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET l 8 i Hector Frank Unger mmvrozg.

Sept. 9, 1952 H. F. UNGER 2,610,089

SPRINKLER ROTATING SPINNER DRIVE Filed March 22, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 82 Fig.3.

L n i Hector. Fran/r Unger INVENTOR.

BY flaw...

only yM Patented Sept. 9, 1952 SPRINKLER; ROTATING SPINNER DRIVE Hector Frank Unger, Portland, reg.;; Dolores-I.

Unger executrix of said Hector F; Unger, dc-

ceased ApplicationMarch 22, 1948, Serial No. 16,267"

7 Claims.

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a sprinkler rotating spinner drive and more specifically pertains to a rotating sprinkler head having a rotating deflector wheel for directing a jet of Water from the sprinkler arms in an improved manner upon the area to be sprinkled.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for sprinkling lawns and the like evenly and uniformly throughout a iven area.

The principal feature of this invention resides in the provision of a rotating sprinkler headprovided with detachable bearing inserts for rotatably journalling the shank portion of a rotating assembly, whereby the bearings of the rotating member are protected against excessive wear and are assured a longer life.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a sprinkler head as set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the water pressure is employed to ,maintain the rotating shaft of the sprinkler in tight engagement with asealing means.

Yet another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a sprinkler as set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the rotating assembly is provided with a manually adjustable valve for regulating the flow of water into the sprinkler arm or arms of the device.

A still further feature of the invention resides in the" provision of a sprinkler head assembly wherein each of the sprinkler arms is provided with a rotatable deflector wheel having inclined surfaces to receive the impingement of a Water spray emerging from the sprinklerarm supporting the deflector wheel, whereby to distribute the spray more evenly over a wide and predetermined area.

An additional feature of the invention resides in the provision of a deflector wheel as set forth in the preceding feature of the invention, wherein the wheel is journall'edfor rotation about a vertical axis carried by the arm, and wherein the, wheel is slidable thereon, so that the wheel is freely rotatable upon its spindle in a vertical position determined by the force of the jet emerging from the sprinkler arm, to thereby maintain a more even dispersalof the spray over a given area.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of. a preferred embodiment of the device;

Figure: 2 is a fragmentary vertical central sectional. view? through the stationarybase and rotatable body assembly of the sprinkler;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the sprinkler arms, a part of the deflector wheel being broken away to show the interior constructionthereof Figure 4 is a perspective view taken from the top of the arrangement of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially from the plane of the section line 5-5 of. Figure 3 a Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially from the plane of the section line i5--6 of Figure 4 and illustrating the construction of the sprinkler jet or nozzle;

Figure '7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially from the plane of the section line 1-1 of Figure 2; and t Figure 8 is a. further detail view taken in plan substantially from the plane of the horizontal section line 8-8 of Figure 2.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, attention is first directed chiefly to Figures 1 and 2 wherein the numeral N] indicates a hollow, preferably cylindrical base member which may be of any suitable shape, and which is preferably pro vided with a hollow bore l2 forming the chamber therein, which bore at its open end terminates in a screw-threaded portion [4 adapted for engagement with a garden hose, or other means for supplying water to the interior of the base member, although it will be understood the base may be attached in any suitable manner to a conduit by means of the threads M for supplying Water to the interior thereof.

The base II] at its other end from the threaded portion I4 is provided with a closed end i B which is provided with an axial aperture l3 therethrough for a purpose to be later set forth.

The device further comprises a rotatable body "it of any suitable construction, shape and material, and which is provided with a hollow interior chamber 22. A hollow, tubular shank 2a is secured to the body 20 by means of cooperating screw threads 26, this tubular body or shank 2 having an axial bore 28 therein which continu ously communicates with the chamber 22 in. the

body 29 and with the chamber or bore l2 in the base [0.

A plurality of annular rings 38 are provided upon the shank 24 to provide annular bearings, which are received in corresponding and complementary bearing seats formed in a journal bearing composed of a plurality of longitudinally divided sleeve sections 32. V

As will readily be seen by reference to Figures 2 and 7, the sleeve segments 32 and 34 of the bearing inserts are placeable upon the shank 24 whereby the bearing rings 30 are freely revolvable in the bearing seats formed in the sections 32 and 34, whereupon the assembly may be inserted in the threaded end M of the bore 12, and disposed through the aperture l8 as shown in Figure 2. Although but two sleeve sections 32 and 31% are illustrated, it will be readily understood that any desired number of sections may be employed, it being merely essential to the principles of this invention that the sections in their entirety shall form the readily replaceable bearing inserts receivable in the bore 2 for journalling the shank 24 therein.

A screw threaded valve member 36 provided with a suitable finger-grip portion 38 thereon, is screw threadedly engaged in a bore 49 in the body 29 in alignment with the shank 24 thereof, and is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the shank 24, being maintained in adjustment by means of a looking or jamb nut i2, as shown in Figure 2. The lower end of the member 36 is provided with conical point it constituting a valving member. Thus, as the member 36 is adjusted downwardly in its bore 40, the tip 41; thereof may be brought into metering or valving relation with the open extremity of the shank 2d for throttling or controlling the flow of water through the bore 28 thereof.

Aligned, oppositely disposed internally threaded bores 48 and 48 are provided in the body 29 for intersecting the chamber 22. A pair of tubular arms or conduit members 50 and 52 are threadedly engaged in the bores M and it, and thus extend oppositely from and are supported by the rotatably body 29. If desired, each of the tubular or hollow arms 59 and 52 may be employed to dis pense fluid from the spraying device, and, of course, more than two arms may be employed as desired; but in the preferred form as shown in 0 Figure 1, one of the arms such as 59 is closed by a plug 54 comprising a counter-weight for balancing the arm 52 and the structure carried thereby.

As will be further seen by reference to Figure 2, the inlet ends of the tubes 50 and 52 are adapted to be partially obstructed by the member 35 as the latter is adjusted inwardly of the body 2%, whereby this member serves to also throttle the flow of water into the hollow arms 59 and 52 in addition to throttling the flow from the bore 28. It will thus be seen that effective and easily adjustable means is provided for con trolling the rate of flow .of water through the rotatable sprayer head of the invention.

The outer end of the tubular arm 52 is provided with an angularly disposed portion 56, the outer extremity of which is screw-threaded as at 58 for detachably receiving thereon an internally threaded sleeve 60 having an angularly disposed arm 62. This sleeve and arm constitute bracket means for supporting a deflector wheel as set forth hereinafter.

The sleeve 69 is internally threaded as is 64 for detachable reception upon the'oorresponding and externally threaded end of the portion 56, and at its other extremity detachably receives an externally threaded spray nozzle or jet tip 66. The outer extremity of the latter is received within a shouldered recess 68 of the angular portion 62, to thereby firmly secure the nozzle in place. It is contemplated that various nozzles 66 of selective sizes and characteristics may be interchangeably used in the bore 64 of the sleeve BE], in order to adapt the device to the particular use intended.

At its outer end, the arm 62 terminates in a boss 10, which supports a vertically extending stationary spindle 12 having an annular groove M at its upper end for the reception of a detachable resilient split ring 75. By means of this ring, there is detachably retained upon the spindle a sleeve 18, see Figures 3 and 5, which sleeve is rotatably and slidably disposed upon the spindle within the limit defined by the boss 'iEl and the ring 16.

At its lower end, the sleeve ?8 has rigidly attached thereto a spinner or deflector wheel 86, while surrounding the rest of the sleeve and above the wheel 89 is a bushing 82 of cushioning material such as rubber or the like. The arrangement is such that as the spinner 89 rotates, the same is free to move vertically upon the spindle 12, whereby the bushing 82 may be engaged with the split ring 76 to retain the device upon the spindle, and at the same time cushion the impact as the spindle or deflector wheel is raised to its extreme vertical position as set forth hereinafter.

As shown best in Figures 3 and 5, the undersurface of the deflector wheel 86 is provided with a plurality of tangentially disposed and axially inclined surfaces 86, five or any other number of which may be employed asshown in these figures.

These surfaces terminate in tangentially disposed end walls 86, as shown in Figure 5, and one of these surfaces has a bore 88 opening upwardly therethrough and to the upper surface of the deflector wheel for a purpose to be later set forth.

Referring now back to Figure 2, it will be seen that the shank 24 at its lower end is provided with an enlarged or headed portion 90 which is of a diameter to be snugly and loosely fitted within the bore 12, this headed portion being at the lower extremity of the shank 24. The uppermost bearing ring 3|] is provided with an upper annular shoulder 92, and a plurality of sealing or packing rings 94 of any desired construction are seated upon the shoulder 92 and surrounding the upper portion of the shank 24, for engagement with the undersurface of the end wall I6 of the base I0. It will thus be seen that the headed portion 20 engages the lower end of the insert bearings to sleeve sections 32 and 34, while the upper surfaces of the shoulders 92 and of the sleeve bearing insert sections 32 and 34 in turn bear against the packing or sealing rings 94, which in turn are pressed against the undersurface of the partition I6 to form a seal for preventing the escape of water from the bore 12 outward through the aperture [8. As will thus be seen, the water pressure to which the shank is subjected forces the same upwardly including the bearing inserts, while the latter permits free rotation of the shank and easy detachment therefrom.

By means of the plurality of bearing rings and their seating inserts, ample bearing surface is provided for efiiciently journalling the shank, whereby these bearing surfaces are protected against the deleterious abrasive, binding or corroding action of sand, or the like, which might penetrate to the interior of the base I0. However, if such wear should occur, the body may be readily removed from the upper end of the shank 24, whereby the latter including the sealing ring, the bearing inserts and the shank is withdrawn from the open bore [2 of the base l0, generally serviced or replaced and reassembled.

By means of the valve member 36, the flow of water from the base l0, through the bore 28 into the chamber 22 and then into the tubular arms of the sprinkler may be accurately and easily regulated or throttled. Preferably the counterweight 54 effectively balances the mass of the other arm 52, the supporting bracket 62 mounted thereon and the deflector wheel journalled upon the supporting bracket. However, as indicated hereinbefore, the structure carried by the arm 52 may be duplicated by the arm 50..

The water passing into the tubular arm 52, emerges from the annular disposed portion 56, to thereby by means of the reaction of the emerging water, cause a rotation of the body 20 and its shank 24 upon the base [0 in a manner which will be readily understood. At the same time, the nozzle 66 directs the spray emerging from the arm or arms 52 so that this spray will impinge upon the undersurface in an upwardly inclined direction, as indicated in Figure 3, upon the inclined surfaces 84 of the deflector wheel. This spray strikes the wheel tangentially of its axis of rotation. thus causing a rotation of the wheel, and in turn breaks up and distributes the spray over a considerable area in an effective and efilcient manner. At the same time, the pressure of this jet or stream of water has its upward component which lifts the deflector wheel 99, its sleeve 79 and the bushing 82, upon the vertical axis 12. Thus, the spinner or deflector wheel assembly rotates upon a water jet,

and does not rest upon the boss 10 during rotation of this unit. Further, if the water pressure should be momentarily increased, the greater force exerted thereby upon the wheel will raise the same higher upon its spindle, thereby lessening the area of the surfaces 84 which are exposed in direct contact with the water stream,

and thus maintain the spinner rotating at a substantially constant rate by the water pressure. A certain quantity of the water by the force of the impinging spray is forced upwardly through the bore 88, to thus water the area immediately around the sprinkler arms.

From the foregoing the principles of operation, the construction and mode of use, as well as the advantages arising from this device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A rotating sprinkler comprising a hollow,

through an end wall thereof, a spray head on said body communicating with the interior thereof, a tubular shank on said body rotatably disposed in said base, said shank establishing continuous communication between said body and base, annular bearing rings on said shank, longitudinally divided bearing sleeves in said hollow base journaling said shank therein, said sleeves having annular grooves rotatably receiving said annular bearing rings.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the uppermost of said bearing rings is provided with an upper annular shoulder, a sealing ring surrounding said shank and seated upon said shoulder and in engagement with the end wall of said base.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shank has an enlarged lower end engaging the lower edge of said bearing sleeves.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the uppermost of said bearing rings is provided with an upper annular shoulder, a sealing ring surrounding said shank and seated upon said shoulder and in engagement with the end wall of said base wherein said shank has an enlarged lower end engaging the lower edge of said bearing sleeves.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base has a vertical cylindrical bore therein, said bearing sleeves comprising segments of a cylinder and being rotatable and vertically slidable in said bore.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said base has a vertical cylindrical bore therein, said bearing sleeves comprising segments of a cylinder and being rotatable and vertically slidable in said bore, said shank having an enlarged lower end engaging the lower edge of said bearing sleeves and substantially closing the bore.

7. A rotating sprinkler comprising a hollow base having a water inlet opening, a hollow body communicating with the interior of said base and rotatably mounted thereon by a tubular shank journaled therein, a tubular arm carried by said body opening into the interior thereof, a spray head on said arm, a bracket having a sleeve portion mounted upon and forming a nozzle-for the outer end of said tubular arm, a vertical spindle on said bracket, said spray head including a rotatable deflector wheel on said spindle and slidable vertically thereon, a plurality of deflector surfaces on said deflector wheel, said nozzle directing a jet against said deflector surfaces, said deflector wheel having a bore extending from one of said deflector surfaces for discharging water above the wheel.

HECTOR FRANK UNGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Name Date 715,425 Schamp Dec. 9, 1902 879,892 Packard Feb. 25, 1908 1,331,255 Gruenberg Feb. 1.7, 1920 1,760,588 Eby May 27, 1930 1,923,775 Crowley Aug. 22, 1933 1,950,512 Norland Mar. 13, 1934 2,016,743 Ghislain Oct. 3, 1935 2,064,066 Jepson et a1. Dec. 15, 1936 2,086,281 Nelson et a1 July 6, 1937 2,090,406 Thompson Aug. 17, 1937 2,512,782 Strickland June 27, 1950 

